Colleyville Debates Independent Findings Of Toxic Emissions At Gas Well

CBS DFW

COLLEYVILLE (CBSDFW.COM) – Results from a test by environmental group the Earthworks Oil and Gas Accountability Project, found emissions from a gas well near the Southlake border contained dangerous levels of toxic chemicals.

READ: Earthworks Accountability Project Statement

But the city debates those findings; an inspector hired by Colleyville said residents should not be alarmed.

Installation of said well, owned by Titan Operating along Pleasant Run Road, was a contentious issue. Three residents paid $1,000 to have the well tested in February. Results were announced Tuesday.

According to Earthworks, emissions of carbon disulforide, a neurotoxin, benzene, known to cause cancer, and naphthalene, suspected of causing cancer, all exceeded state levels. In total, Earthworks says the results detected 26 chemical emissions.

At least one resident placed a canister to measure the air quality in his yard that backs up to the well site some 1,700 feet away. But he declined to comment.

Southlake resident Gordon Aalund, who recently fought a natural gas well in his neighborhood, did speak on the findings.

“It’s one thing to be suspicious, it’s another thing to have it confirmed,” he said. “Certainly, I think you’d rather know this is happening than not, but once you find out, it’s pretty upsetting.

However, an inspector hired by Colleyville said residents should not be worried. Kenneth Tramm rejects the results, saying they used the wrong criteria.

He was hired by the city to conduct comprehensive monitoring at the well site and found no chemicals exceeding state levels.

“There definitely were emissions,” he said. “It’s just those concentrations didn’t exceed the residential threshold, even on the pad site.”

Titan Operating has not responded to requests for comment. Southlake says it will forward Colleyville’s report to the Southlake City Council for review.